And also today (17-Apr-2001), for the record...

Here, in brief, are some of the day's other stories. Intel doubles DSP speeds Intel has demonstrated what it claims to be the world's fastest digital signal processor (DSP) architecture for wireless handheld devices. Incorporating DSP and micro controller functions on a single chip, the Intel Micro Signal Architecture (MSA) can run at speeds of up to 400 MHz, which is more than twice as fast as other DSPs for wireless handheld devices, the company asserts. ...more

BT and BSkyB grab Premiership rights

BT has announced it has won rights to show Premiership matches throughout the 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 seasons. In a joint bid with BSkyB, the companies will have access to 242 matches each season with the rights to broadcast them on 'near-live'. Matches will be available on-demand from 10pm on the day of a given match and for another 50 hours on a pay per view basis. ...more

Kids get ID cards - Blue Peter badges revived

Blue Peter badge holders will soon begin receiving ID cards that restore their free access to almost 200 attractions across the UK. The BBC childrens' programme suspended the badge scheme in March after it discovered that they were being traded on eBay. Previous badge winners will need to fill in a form at bbc. ...more

Apple kills 667MHz Power Mac

Apple has ceased production of the Power Mac G4 667MHz, less than four months after its debut. Sources have confirmed that the model has been internally designated as "end of line" and a replacement configuration is not expected before July. The demise of the 667MHz system comes as dealers in the US are finding it difficult to get their hands on the configuration, which has been tightly constrained since it was introduced in January by Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco. ...more

Opera 7.5 Web software released

Opera has updated its eponymous cross-platform Web software, completely revamping the user interface in the process. A single panel now gives access to all Opera's features, the browser, email and contacts and as well as the new RSS news reader and IRC-compatible chat client. Opera's CEO Jon S von Tetzchner could nopt resist a dig at Internet Explorer: 'Most Internet users are browsing slowly and conducting other Internet activities with applications that should have been retired years ago. ...more